The Asian Institute of Technology has joined a number of leading
higher education institutions and private sector firms in Thailand in
signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Thailand’s Ministry of
Science and Technology and Amata Corporation to establish the “Amata
Science City” in Chon Buri province’s Amata Nakorn Industrial
Estate.
higher education institutions and private sector firms in Thailand in
signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Thailand’s Ministry of
Science and Technology and Amata Corporation to establish the “Amata
Science City” in Chon Buri province’s Amata Nakorn Industrial
Estate.
Watch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgD74iqh5Wk
The MoU signed on 7 January 2010 calls for cooperation between
eight leading Thai-based universities and institutes and Amata
Corporation Public Company Limited for the establishment of a science
city project. The initiative is supported by the National Science and
Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) in the form of Public-Private
Partnership (PPP). A feasibility study on establishing the complex is
currently being conducted and is expected to be concluded within four
months.
eight leading Thai-based universities and institutes and Amata
Corporation Public Company Limited for the establishment of a science
city project. The initiative is supported by the National Science and
Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) in the form of Public-Private
Partnership (PPP). A feasibility study on establishing the complex is
currently being conducted and is expected to be concluded within four
months.
The 2 to 3 billion baht project is expected to cover 500 to 1000 rai
of land, said Somhatai Panichewa, chief business officer of Amata
Corporation. The science city is intended to assist Thailand’s shift
from its manufacturing base towards more emphasis on research and
development, and to develop technologies and value-added products that
will strengthen the country’s regional competitiveness within BIMSTEC
and ASEAN and boost its overall quality of life.
of land, said Somhatai Panichewa, chief business officer of Amata
Corporation. The science city is intended to assist Thailand’s shift
from its manufacturing base towards more emphasis on research and
development, and to develop technologies and value-added products that
will strengthen the country’s regional competitiveness within BIMSTEC
and ASEAN and boost its overall quality of life.
Dr. Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, Minister of Science and Technology,
Chairman of the Signing Ceremony, said it was an historic day for the
scientific, educational, and industrial sectors of Thailand, as the
undertaking highlights the commercial connection between science and
universities and the application of science and technology for the
economic benefit of the country.
Chairman of the Signing Ceremony, said it was an historic day for the
scientific, educational, and industrial sectors of Thailand, as the
undertaking highlights the commercial connection between science and
universities and the application of science and technology for the
economic benefit of the country.
“What we are doing must be recorded in Thailand’s history since it is
the first time that three main sectors of the country hold their hands
and promise to walk together to use science, technology, and innovation
for all sectors of society,” Minister Kalaya said. “This synergy is a
great for Thailand.”
the first time that three main sectors of the country hold their hands
and promise to walk together to use science, technology, and innovation
for all sectors of society,” Minister Kalaya said. “This synergy is a
great for Thailand.”
The minister expected the strategic use of public and private
resources would also serve to attract highly skilled Thai nationals
back to the country. “I believe that about 700 factories coming from
over 30 countries in Amata’s two industrial estates in Chonburi and
Rayong provinces will use joint equipment and human resources and will
create great things in all aspects through our collaboration today,”
the minister said.
resources would also serve to attract highly skilled Thai nationals
back to the country. “I believe that about 700 factories coming from
over 30 countries in Amata’s two industrial estates in Chonburi and
Rayong provinces will use joint equipment and human resources and will
create great things in all aspects through our collaboration today,”
the minister said.
The eight educational institutions in the joint cooperation include
Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, Srinakharinwirot
University, Burapa University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology
North Bangkok, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, King
Mongkut’s University of Technology Ladkrabang, and the Asian Institute
of Technology.
Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, Srinakharinwirot
University, Burapa University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology
North Bangkok, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, King
Mongkut’s University of Technology Ladkrabang, and the Asian Institute
of Technology.
AIT President Said Irandoust represented the Institute in signing the
MoU with Amata Corporation PCL at the official ceremony held in
Bangkok. Also joining the ceremony from AIT were Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resource Development; Dr. Hoang Le
Tien, Associate Head of Administration; and Mrs. Wannapa Pliensri,
Coordinator, Royal Thai Government Relations.
MoU with Amata Corporation PCL at the official ceremony held in
Bangkok. Also joining the ceremony from AIT were Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resource Development; Dr. Hoang Le
Tien, Associate Head of Administration; and Mrs. Wannapa Pliensri,
Coordinator, Royal Thai Government Relations.
Other distinguished guests who attended the signing ceremony were H.E.
Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand; H.E. Mr. Roy
Y.Y. Wu, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Thailand; Mr. Witoon Simachokdee, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of
Industry; Dr. Sujinda Chotipanich, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of
Science and Technology; Dr. Sumet Yamnoon, Secretary General of the
Commission on Higher Education; Mr. Munenori Yamada, President of the
Japan External Trade Organization, Thailand; Mr. Yo Jitsukata,
President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Wisanu Krue-ngam,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Amata Corporation Public Company
Limited.
Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand; H.E. Mr. Roy
Y.Y. Wu, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Thailand; Mr. Witoon Simachokdee, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of
Industry; Dr. Sujinda Chotipanich, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of
Science and Technology; Dr. Sumet Yamnoon, Secretary General of the
Commission on Higher Education; Mr. Munenori Yamada, President of the
Japan External Trade Organization, Thailand; Mr. Yo Jitsukata,
President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Wisanu Krue-ngam,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Amata Corporation Public Company
Limited.
